With two rookies and a winger-turned-center playing up the middle, a reliable, two-way presence that is steady on draws might be just what the Coyotes need to help stabilize the position.
Fortunately for them, veteran Martin Hanzal is already familiar with those responsibilities.
“That’s what he is all the time anyway,” coach Dave Tippett said. “His role won’t change. It’ll be a lot of the same.”
Arizona’s depth up the middle has taken a hit recently with Brad Richardson on the mend after undergoing surgery to repair fractured tibia and fibula bones in his right leg last week and Dylan Strome getting returned to junior.